D.L. Menard to be inducted into La. Musical Hall of Fame

Cajun musician D.L. Menard has been on Earth for 77 years, and he’s seen and heard a lot over those years. Every now and then, things happen that catch him off guard. This weekend may be one of those times.

Menard, along with three other Cajun musicians — Doug Kershaw, Jimmy C. Newman and Jo-El Sonnier — are set to be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame during this weekend’s Festivals Acadiens in Lafayette.

Menard learned Wednesday he was being inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame.

“It is a surprise. I did not know,” Menard said. He also said he is honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the three others.

Menard is known as “The Cajun Hank Williams” and has been one of Cajun music’s strongest links to country music for five decades.

This will not be his first hall of fame induction. He has been inducted into halls of fame in Eunice and Crowley, along with the Cajun music section of the Country and Western Hall of Fame in Nashville.

For years, Menard, who still lives in Erath, has performed at the Festival Acadiens. His Cajun music has taken him all around the world. There are no signs of him slowing down. “I will do it as long as I can,” he said.

He has been knowing Newman and Kershaw since they were teenagers.

Kershaw, who sings in French and English and plays fiddle, is the son of an alligator farmer and continues to tour worldwide.

Newman has enjoyed a career as members of both the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry.

Sonnier has brought his energetic accordion sounds to recordings by Bob Dylan, Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello.

The four are being inducted during a Friday night ceremony.